Chapter 826: Chapter 825: Farewells and Gifts

As winter gradually drew to a close, it was time for the Typhon embassy to depart from the Cecil Clan.

In the Autumn Palace, the farewell banquet had been set, and the band played soft and cheerful melodies in the corner of the banquet hall. Under the magic crystal lamps, the shiny metal cutlery and the swaying wine glasses glittered charmingly, creating a light and peaceful atmosphere that lifted the spirits of every attendee.

Matilda Augustus, dressed in a court gown, stood at the end of the long hall. Rebecca, also attired in formal court dress, ran up with a plate of small cakes to greet the foreign princess warmly, "Matilda! You’re leaving today, aren’t you?"

In the past several days, Rebecca and Matilda hadn’t met often, but Rebecca, being cheerful and easygoing, quickly formed a connection — or rather, a one-sided acquaintance. In their few interactions, Rebecca was pleasantly surprised to find that this Typhon princess had a good grasp of mathematics and the magic field, not just a projected image of intelligence. Hence, they soon found common topics to discuss.

And having that common topic successfully bridged their relationship — at least that’s what Rebecca believed.

"I’ll write you letters," Matilda smiled, looking at this ’Cecil Gem’ who was so different from the noble ladies she knew. They had similar status but lived in completely different environments and developed completely different personalities. At first, Matilda felt uncomfortable with Rebecca’s vibrant and carefree demeanor, but after a few meetings, she found this lively girl to be quite likable. "Though Aldernon and Cecil Castle are far apart, we now have trains and direct diplomatic channels. We can continue our discussions via letters."

She smiled at Rebecca, who returned an even more sincere and brilliant smile.

Matilda felt a slight sense of regret — upon first encountering Rebecca, she knew this overly youthful girl was actually a significant founder of modern magical technology. She noticed Rebecca’s innocence and sincerity and once wished to glean some valuable secrets about advanced magical technology from her. But after a few interactions, their exchanges remained solely on pure mathematical issues or conventional magical and mechanical technology.

This seemingly straightforward girl was not as defenseless as she looked on the surface; she was just aptly clever.

With Rebecca’s radiant smile, Matilda’s slight regrets melted away.

"When you write, be sure to tell me more about Aldernon," Rebecca laughed, "I’ve never been so far away!"

"Of course, and should you have the chance, I would be delighted to host you in Aldernon," said Matilda, "It’s a friendly city, and from the Obsidian Palace, you can see very beautiful misty landscapes."

Rebecca showed a hint of longing, then suddenly glanced behind Matilda with a very happy expression: "Ah! The ancestor has come!"

Matilda immediately turned around and saw Gawain Cecil, tall and imposing, dressed in royal attire, walking toward them with a smile.

This Typhon princess immediately stepped forward gracefully to greet him, "Greetings, Great King Cecil."

Gawain smiled as he accepted the greeting, then glanced at Rebecca standing beside him and casually asked, "Rebecca, you haven’t caused any trouble today, have you?"

"No, no!" Rebecca waved her hands quickly, "I was just chatting with Matilda!"

"Rebecca is a truly wonderful friend, and her knowledge about mathematics, machinery, and runes deeply impresses me," Matilda said politely and naturally shifted the topic, "Also, thank you very much for your hospitality these past days — I experienced firsthand the enthusiasm and friendliness of the Cecil Clan, and witnessed the prosperity of this city."

"I hope this experience provides you with a favorable impression for a new era between our two nations," Gawain nodded slightly, then signaled to an attendant nearby, "Matilda, before saying goodbye, I have prepared gifts for you and Emperor Rosetta Augustus — a personal token from me, which I hope you’ll appreciate."

The upper aristocracy’s farewell gifts are a traditional etiquette with a long history, and the content of the gifts is usually swords, armor, or precious magic supplies, but Matilda instinctively felt that the gift from this legendary pioneer might have a special distinction, so she couldn’t help but show curiosity as she watched the two attendants walk forward — carrying exquisite boxes, which from the size and shape, clearly couldn’t hold swords or armor.

Very soon, she saw what Gawain Cecil’s gift was: a book, and an oddly-shaped metal cube.

Both items were intriguing, and Matilda’s gaze fell first on the metal cube — compared to the book, this metal cube seemed more perplexing. It appeared to be composed of a series of neatly stacked smaller cubes, with each surface inscribed with different magical symbols, resembling some sort of magic tool, yet its specific function wasn’t evident.

"It’s called a ’Rune Cube’, a gift for you," Gawain explained, "Initially something I made in my leisure time, later modified by my chief Runemaster Jenni. You can think of it as a toy or a tool for training the mind. I know you’re interested in mathematics and runes, so it’ll be quite fitting for you."

At Gawain’s gesture, Matilda curiously picked up the metal cube called a "Magic Cube" from the box and was surprised to find it’s much lighter than expected. She twisted one of the cube’s faces and immediately felt it become heavier in her hand.

Though not a Mage herself, Matilda, knowledgeable in magic, immediately realized the reason: the cube’s initial "lightness" was due to some weight-reduction rune, and as she twisted the block, the corresponding rune was interrupted.

This cube must have a small Magic Web Unit inside providing energy, and the sequence of small blocks composing it allows the runes to form a variety of combinations, enabling the wondrous magic power to quietly flow within the lifeless steel’s motion.

Matilda blinked, staring fixedly at the cube in her hand.

As if gazing at some miniature of Mage technology.

This is just a toy... yet it seems more than a toy.

Initially finding it odd to receive a "toy" as a gift, Matilda couldn’t help entering contemplation, her gaze then shifted to the other gift.

It was a book with a blue hardcover, looking not very thick, with gold-embossed hand-written letters on the cover:

"Society and Machines" — Gift for Emperor Rosetta Augustus.

"This is a recently compiled book by our scholars, which also contains some of my personal thoughts on social development and the future," Gawain said with a faint smile, "if your father has time to take a look, it might help him understand the mindset of us Cecil Clan."

Matilda’s gaze slowly swept over these two items.

These are truly two unique gifts, each with deep meanings worth pondering.

She smiled and instructed the attendants to take the gifts and store them properly, then turned to Gawain: "I will take your goodwill back to Aldernon—of course, along with the documents and memorandums we have signed."

"A new era of prosperity and peace starts from here," Gawain also smiled, taking a glass of red wine and slightly raising it, "it deserves a toast from us."

Matilda likewise raised her glass, the two sparkling glasses clinking crisply in the air: "For the new era of prosperity and peace."

...

The banquet was filled with joy for hosts and guests alike.

The train platform leading to the Duke of the East region, where the train carrying the Typhon delegation steadily glided, accelerated, and gradually departed toward the distant horizon.

Their departure and the agreement reached by both sides will dominate the headlines of tomorrow’s newspapers and become a topic during casual conversations among Cecil Citizens, but soon will fade out of focus as ordinary people continue their busy and fulfilling lives. Apart from sharp-sensed merchants and duty-bound officials, not many will continue to pay attention to this matter.

Yet the long-term effects it causes, the potential change in the continent’s situation, will ferment slowly beyond most people’s awareness, seeping into everyone’s life bit by bit.

Rebecca stood on the terrace of Autumn Palace, fiddling with a small gold pendant — a gift from Matilda — she looked in the direction of the city’s edge and said with slight nostalgia: "They’re gone."

Gawain, hearing her, turned his head: "Do you really like that Matilda?"

"In normal circumstances, perhaps she’d make a good friend," Rebecca thought for a moment, then shook her head, "Pity she’s from Typhon."

With some curiosity, Gawain asked, "What if you didn’t consider her identity?"

"We could get along. She genuinely likes and is skilled in mathematics and machinery at least, it’s evident she’s researched seriously. But she’s clearly thinking about other things too, the knowledge in the Mage field... she claims it’s her hobby, but actually, the hobby might only account for a small part," Rebecca said, frowning slightly, "She lives way more tense than I do."

Gawain looked at this girl with some surprise: "You can actually sense such deep things?"

Rebecca immediately waved her hand: "Ah, the way girls communicate, Ancestor, you wouldn’t understand."

Gawain wasn’t angry, just cast a somewhat affectionate glance at Rebecca, shaking his head: "That Princess of Typhon indeed lives more tensely than you, I can sense the constant tightness in her surroundings—she’s still quite young, not good at hiding it."

Listening to Gawain’s words, Rebecca seriously pondered for a moment, hesitantly murmuring: "Ah, Ancestor, do you think I should learn a bit too? After all, I am somewhat of a Princess, what if one day you lie back down..."

Halfway through her speech, she instinctively stopped, not daring to finish as she cautiously looked up at Gawain’s face—the progress of this girl lying in realizing some words shouldn’t be spoken before getting hit, but regrettably she said enough for the listener to mentally fill in the rest, causing Gawain’s expression to suddenly become bewildered.

He looked at Rebecca, who shrank her neck, with a complex gaze, suddenly feeling a bit emotional—perhaps one day his reign will reach its end, yet Rebecca... might provoke him enough to rise again.

Thinking hard, he felt he should indeed strive to live, aiming to have reached the end of his reign by the time he posthumously promotes this silly girl to queen...

Rebecca didn’t know what thoughts were swirling in Gawain’s mind (even if she knew, she’d probably have no comment), she merely stared blankly for a while, then seemingly recalled something: "Oh, Ancestor, the Typhon delegation’s gone, next should be the Sacred Dragon Kingdom’s delegation, right?"

Gawain was somewhat surprised at Rebecca seriously remembering such matters, then nodded: "Byron has already departed north, besides constructing Northport, his another task is to welcome the Sacred Dragon Kingdom’s delegation. Actually, according to the original plan, Sacred Dragon Kingdom’s envoys were to reach the southern borders before the Cold Month ended, but the both side’s correspondence negotiation delayed a bit, so now it appears they will reach the southern borders at least by the Revival Month. But that’s good too, can stagger with the Typhon Empire’s arrival, easing our arrangements a bit."

"How nice..." Rebecca squinted her eyes, smiled with a bit of anticipation, "They’re Maji’s clansmen... wonder if we can make friends."

Friends...

Gawain’s deep gaze quietly contemplated this word.

With mysterious backgrounds, unknown where they connect with Talronde’s dragons, the Dragonborn... if they indeed could become close within the Cecil Settlement, it would indeed be a good thing.